Japan could enter a new era of regional kitchen wars, thanks to that little French publication called Michelin.

The tire company’s newly released Japanese restaurant guide covers the Kansai region. No surprise to many locals, but it turns out the area is something of a culinary gold mine.

Michelin awarded three stars to 12 restaurants in Kansai, this time adding international port city Kobe to Kyoto’s prim restaurants and Osaka’s finer dining spots.

Kansai beat Tokyo, considered a gourmet dining hub, by one starred restaurant.

But Kansai, known as the belly of Japan, might want to wait a few weeks before lording it over the capital. Michelin is set to release a new Tokyo guide next month and is adding Yokohama and Kamakura, both within striking distance of Tokyo, to the list.

Could Yokohama, home to the biggest Chinatown in Japan, and its pot stickers, give Kyoto’s elegant kaiseki dishes a run for their stars? Or will Michelin’s reviewers unearth gems in temple-, monument- and shrine-strewn Kamakura? Chefs, sharpen your knives.